She shook her head and backed up a step. “No, Trey. There’s no future for us.”
He let out a low growl of frustration, then pointed a finger at her and said, “You stay right there.”
“Excuse me? You don’t boss me around.”
“Don’t move,” he commanded.
“Ugh!” Ella threw her hands in the air.
“You try to move, and I will hunt you down,” he threatened.
“Hunt me down? What are you, a barbarian?”
He smirked at her, but only said, “I’ll be right back.”
Ella stared in frustration and confusion as he hopped to the bathroom. The striations of muscle in his leg were insane, and his broad back was also covered in beautifully formed muscles. She supposed that was what happened when you made a career out of sports.
“‘Stay right there,’” she muttered to herself. “Who does he think he is?” She paced around the bedroom, but for some reason, she could not get herself to march right out that door and down those steps. “‘I will hunt you down’? Ugh! Men!”
The bathroom door opened behind her and Trey came hopping out. She would think any other person couldn’t possibly make hopping attractive, but Trey was so athletic, it was like she was watching a performance of athletic prowess and how to move with only one leg. He moved toward her with determination, surprising speed, and a look in his blue eyes that said she was never going to be able to tell him no.
Ella backed into the nearest wall. Trey reached her and braced both hands on the wall for support, but it was incredibly sexy as he framed her head and leaned close. “Now, where were we?”
His freshly-brushed breath tickled her mouth. Not only smell yummy peppermint; his delicious sandalwood-and-musk cologne was a little stronger than it had been a few minutes ago. Not too strong, but just enough to make her as weak in the knees as she had been, especially when you added in him being close and the obvious intentions in his voice and eyes.
“What?” Ella fumbled to ask. Where were we? Nowhere near a kiss, but suddenly she was right back to all her girlish visualizations, just dying to have him lean against her and kiss her until she somehow believed they did have a future.
“Ella,” he murmured. His eyes brushed over her lips in a look as tantalizing as a touch. “You claim we don’t have a future, but I can’t be the only one feeling this. When I’m near you, it’s like coming home at Christmas: excitement, warmth, and happiness.”
Ella all but melted into him. Who said beautiful things like that? Sadly, she knew the answer: an accomplished player who was used to women melting into him. She needed to duck under his arms and run. He’d claimed he’d track her down, but she could run fast and he had to hop on one leg.
“Please, beautiful Ella. Say you’re feeling this too.” He searched her eyes, his own expression filled with pleading. If she didn’t know better, she’d say something in his gaze was stronger than interest and desire—devotion.
“I …” She leaned back against the wall for support. She felt exactly what he was saying when they touched, when he looked at her, when she simply thought about him. She was gone over him. Maybe she just needed to give in, enjoy this weekend of being the woman Trey Nelson wanted. When they both moved on next week and her heart shattered from him not only moving on to a different location, but also most likely to a different woman, at least she’d have these memories to fall back on.
No! She needed to be strong. If he truly wanted her, she should keep her distance and see if he kept trying after the weekend was over … but it was so hard when he was looking at her like that to even imagine resisting him.
“I’ve got a deal for you,” he said in a husky tone that sent desire shooting through her body. “I’m going to kiss you.”
She arched her eyebrows at his assumption, even though inside she was cheering from the combination of his decisive words and the anticipation of him kissing her.
“If we don’t both feel that you and I have something special and that we need to give us a chance from this kiss …” He pushed out a breath. “I’ll back off and treat you like a sis— friend.” He moved so close that his strong body brushed against hers. Her stomach swirled with heat. “If you feel it, then you have to let me date you properly, give us a chance.” He arched an eyebrow. “What do you say?”
Ella’s throat was dry, and her pulse was racing. She couldn’t find her voice to answer him. Her gaze didn’t waver, though, as she focused on his handsome face and the intensity in his blue eyes. She let herself wrap her hands around his warm, broad back, let her fingers explore the gloriousness of the muscle in that back, and let herself savor the soft moan that escaped from Trey’s lips and the lick of craving that ran through his eyes.
It wasn’t a bad plan, not at all. She let him kiss her, and if it was as unreal as she knew it would be, they’d date. That sounded like he wanted more than just a fling. She prayed it was so and gave up on any illusion of strength. Licking her lips, she gave a short, decisive nod. Trey grinned, but he sobered quickly as he leaned closer. Ella’s heart leapt and she arched toward him.
She heard the front door open and then slam, and footsteps pounded through the house. “Ella?”
“No,” she groaned.
Trey paused, so close his lips brushed the side of hers as he muttered, “Gavin.”
That brush of the lips was too much; even that miniscule touch was beautiful and had her craving more. The footsteps pounding up the stairs were all that kept her from pressing her mouth to Trey’s and showing him exactly how desperately she loved him, proving to him with her kiss that she absolutely wanted to date him and give them a chance. Had he truly referred to them as “us”? She loved that so much. All illusions of strength and worries about him hurting her flew out the window.
“Trey!” Gavin roared as he slammed into the room. “Let her go!”
Trey smiled grimly down at her as Ella forced herself to unclamp her hands from around his back. He slowly pivoted to face Gavin, balancing on his left leg and keeping his right hand on the wall, next to Ella’s head. Ella clasped her hands together, still catching her breath from the beautiful interaction with Trey and staring at her brother’s furious face.
“Hey, Gav,” Trey muttered. “Rotten timing.”
“Rotten timing?” Gavin spit out. “You told me you’d stay away from her! Now you’ve got her in your bedroom, with no shirt on?”
“No, I absolutely did not say I’d stay away from her. I told you I’d let her decide.” Trey glanced down at her tenderly. “I like her decision.”
Oh my. She just liked him. Their interaction wasn’t like Gavin was implying, and she wanted to shove her brother out the door, slam it, and try that kiss.
“Only because you can manipulate her because she acts like a sappy teenager where you’re concerned,” Gavin said.
“Now you just hold up,” Trey started.
“I am not a child who can be manipulated,” Ella put in, glaring at her brother.
“Ella.” Gavin stared at her, begging her to understand. “You know what we talked about.”
Ella really appreciated that he wasn’t spelling out her longtime crush nor her desperation for Trey that had Gavin so concerned. But she was a full-grown woman. She had the right to choose who she dated and when, and every cell in her body was choosing Trey. She glanced up at him and he was staring at her, his eyes full of adoration and longing. They did have something special, and his very look gave her strength.
“Gav,” she started. “I really appreciate you being concerned about me, but I’m all grown-up now and I promise I’m capable of making my own decisions about who I date.”
Gavin’s dark eyes sparked dangerously. “Ella, you have always been the most adorable, funny, feisty girl. All I’ve ever wanted to do was protect you from being hurt, especially after Papa’s accident.”
“I know, and I appreciate it, but you don’t need to protect me from Trey.”
Trey let go of the wal
l, balanced on one leg, and reached down, wrapping his hand around hers and squeezing. They turned together to face Gavin.
“I actually do,” Gavin said. “Do you want to tell her, or should I?” He looked at Trey with that dangerous glint in his eyes, as if he were ready to tackle him away from Ella.
“Tell her what?” Trey demanded, his good humor gone. “I love you, man, but you are ticking me off. Ella is choosing to date me, and you have no right to come between us.”
Gavin’s jaw clenched. “I keep getting phone calls today that I’ve tried to ignore, but she was so persistent my assistant finally made me talk to her.”
“What phone calls?” Trey was holding her hand tighter and tighter.
Gavin’s eyes narrowed. “Kaytlyn Klein.”
That name sent a chill down Ella’s spine. The exquisite blonde with a face like an angel. She had been Trey’s high school girlfriend. Oh, how Ella remembered jealously watching the two of them together. Even the memory made her stomach roll.
Trey released her hand, wrapped his arm around Ella’s shoulder, and leaned against her. “What does she want?”
“Apparently, she’s been trying to track you down today as well, but you haven’t answered her texts or phone calls. She saw on social media that you were home this weekend and knew she could get ahold of you through me. Kaytlyn has something really important to tell you.”
“What does that mean?” Trey glowered at Gavin.
“It means you get your hands off my sister and stop toying with her. Step up to your responsibilities with Kaytlyn.”
“Responsibilities? I have no responsibilities with Kaytlyn. She and I have dated off and on when I’ve been close to Sun Valley where she lives now. I haven’t seen her in months.”
Gavin shook his head, his gaze heavy on Ella as if he wanted to rip her away from Trey. She’d never liked seeing Trey and Kaytlyn together, but Gavin was acting psychotic. Responsibilities with Kaytlyn? The way Gavin was acting, it could only mean one thing, but Trey wouldn’t … would he?
The door opened and shut downstairs, and Ella heard the most melodic alto call out, “Halloo? Where’s my beautiful girl?”
“Mama.” She glanced up at Trey, needing to run to her mother but not wanting to desert him to whatever Gavin was accusing him of.
“Go hug her.” He smiled down at her, but his blue eyes were stormy. “I need to talk to Gav and then shower; then I’ll be down.”
“Good luck.” She gave him a squeeze around the waist, not sure what was happening between them, why Gavin was being such a hardheaded jerk, or what she should think about Kaytlyn being part of the equation.
He chuckled and nudged her. “Go. I can handle him.”
Ella thought Trey was the most confident person she knew. She’d never seen anyone, except Mama, win a battle with Gavin. She strode past Gavin, muttering, “Chill out, all right, bro?” as she passed.
Gavin just shook his head at her. His entire body was in battle stance, engaging all of his muscles. Ella would’ve been worried about anyone but Trey. He could hold his own with her brother, but she did throw out before she left the room, “He does have a pretty bad head injury. Don’t hit him in the head too hard.”
Gavin and Trey both stayed focused on each other, neither laughing at her lame joke. “I’ll go for the body,” Gavin said. “Thanks, sis.”
“Good plan.” She tried to think positive thoughts. They’d been friends for a long time and wouldn’t kill each other. She didn’t mind leaving so the two of them could work things out, but she really minded the thought of Kaytlyn and the interruption of what would’ve been the most amazing kiss of her life. She’d finally committed to giving him a chance. Would she and Trey get back to that spot?
Ella hurried down the stairs, hearing the bedroom door shut firmly behind her. She saw her mama in the kitchen, tasting her soup. “Mama!”
Her mama looked up, dropped the spoon in the sink, and ran at her. Mama was still a beautiful woman with her dark, curly hair framing her face; her wide, dark eyes bright and clear; and her skin smooth and naturally olive toned. “Ella!”
They met at the bottom of the stairs and hugged and hugged.
Mama pulled back. “Aren’t you beautiful?” She grabbed Ella’s hand and tugged her to the couch. “Come sit, sweet girl, and talk my ear off.”
Ella laughed and happily obeyed. As Mama peppered her with questions about the end of school, her date with some Tommy guy last month that she could hardly remember, and her new job, car, and apartment, Ella was thrilled to have Mama’s attention, to bask in her smile, and to just chat. Yet the one person she really wanted to talk about was probably upstairs getting pummeled by her big brother. Normally, Trey could hold his own, but he was injured. She tried to focus on Mama and prayed that Trey would be okay, prayed that the two of them together had a chance.
* * *
Trey stared evenly at Gavin after he shut the door and turned back to face him. “I don’t need Mama hearing we’re fighting and coming up here to break it up,” Gavin told him, “so keep it down.”
Trey arched his eyebrow. “I will if you will.”
Gavin nodded.
“So what are you doing coming in here throwing around stupid accusations about Kaytlyn Klein?” He’d never had any issue with Kaytlyn. She was a genuine sweetheart and always fun to be around, always up for an adventure. They’d dated in high school and then off and on throughout the past ten years if he was close to Sun Valley, where she was a personal assistant for some billionaire, living in his outlandish mansion and creating an amazing charitable foundation for children with the guy. Trey would give her a call when he was in the area, and they’d go to dinner or on a mountain bike ride or enjoy a day of skiing. “She’s a friend, nothing more.”
“That’s not what she told me.” Gavin stuck his chin out, all brawn and no brains.
“What did she tell you?” Trey said through gritted teeth, praying for patience. He held up a hand. “Give me a sec.” He sank into the chair again. Balancing on one foot was a pain in the butt. Having slept most of the day away, he hadn’t taken the time to evaluate how his leg was doing, but it felt okay. He was going to start putting pressure on it, no matter what Doc said.
“She told me she’s expecting a baby in the spring.”
“Really?” Trey was surprised. Last time they’d gone out, Kaytlyn had insisted she was too invested in the older gentleman she worked for who was battling cancer, and her charity, to settle down anytime soon and have a family. He’d thought that was sad, that her career was taking precedence over getting married and starting a life with someone special. A woman like Ella, who loved her big family and especially her little brother, would be naturally inclined to marry and have children, wouldn’t she? Hmm, maybe that was something he needed to ask her, after he finally kissed her good and long.
“Yep.” Gavin was looking upset all over again.
“So what does that have to do with me?”
“She kind of implied that you’re the father.”
“What?” Trey leapt to his feet, forgetting about his stupid knee. It hurt to pop up like that and he almost hit the floor, but he steadied himself on the chair. The pain in his knee and head was bad, but it was nothing compared to the anger and hurt inside. How could his longtime friend Kaytlyn accuse him of that, and how could Gavin believe it?
“Keep it down,” Gavin cautioned.
“How could you ever,” Trey gritted out, trying to clamp his jaw shut so he didn’t yell, “ever believe a lie like that?”
Gavin simply stared at him. If he felt any remorse at his false accusations, he sure wasn’t showing it. “You tell me constantly about all the women you date, Trey, and all of us follow you on social media.” He arched an eyebrow.
Trey hated that women were always showing up at his events in next to nothing, asking for a selfie and then posting it. He’d tried to get his own social media people not to post pictures like that, but he couldn’t contro
l anyone else. True, he dated a lot and pictures got sent out to the world by fans or the women he dated, but could he control that?
“I know you’ve kept in contact with Kayt,” Gavin continued. “Is it that far-fetched for me to consider that you might be the father?”
“Yes!” He tried to keep the weight on his left leg and hold on to the chair, but he was not sitting down for this conversation. “I have saved myself for my wife, exactly like Aunt Charlotte and Uncle Pete and Mama and Papa Strong and Pastor Jay taught me. You have no right to be accusing me of sleeping around, getting Kaytlyn Klein pregnant. You’ve gone too far.”
Gavin’s shoulders finally relaxed. He blew out a breath and said, “Oh, thank you.”
“You believe me.” Trey leaned forward, praying that his friend was still true to him like he’d always been. They hadn’t spent as much time together as they’d have liked these past ten years, but Gavin had to know that Trey wouldn’t go too far with Kaytlyn and then be jerk enough to leave her pregnant and alone.
“Yeah, I do.”
Trey sank back down into the chair, suddenly exhausted. The pain in his head was more of a lingering ache, but being accused of something like this by his best friend had wiped him out. He glanced up at Gavin, who was looking relieved and maybe a little embarrassed. Not that Gavin was one to take blame or apologize much, but he was a good guy.
Gavin sank into the armchair next to him and said, “I didn’t want to be judgmental, because we all make mistakes—” He paused and glanced at his hands. “—me more than most—but I just couldn’t stand the thought of you not only being with Kaytlyn, but being the kind of man who could ditch out on his responsibilities like that. Not to mention what it would do to Ella. She …” He glanced out the window, then admitted, “Likes you.”
Trey definitely needed to reconnect with Kaytlyn soon, talk to her and figure out what was going on, but those concerns were pushed to the back of his mind as he thought about Ella. He was even more excited that Gavin would admit Ella liked him. “So you’re okay with us dating?”
Don’t Date Your Brother’s Best Friend: Strong Family Romances Page 8